Funny, this post just made me open “Human, All Too Human” for the first time after several years, and I was struck by many quotes that I now see in a different light thanks in part to the influence of Overcoming Bias and Less Wrong.
Some examples (all emphasis mine):
Just as the bones, flesh, intestines, and blood vessels are enclosed by skin, which makes the sight of a man bearable, so the stirrings and passions of the soul are covered up by vanity: it is the skin of the soul.
Man is very well defended against himself, against his own spying and sieges; usually he is able to make out no more of himself than his outer fortifications. The actual stronghold is inaccessible to him, even invisible, unless friends and enemies turn traitor and lead him there by a secret path.
We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgment to shine.
When a man tries earnestly to liberate his intellect, his passions and desires secretly hope to benefit from it also.
In interaction with people, a benevolent dissembling is often required, as if we did not see through the motives for their behavior.
Sometimes in conversation the sound of our own voice confuses us and misleads us to assertions that do not at all reflect our opinion.
It is much more common for a person to appear to have character because he always acts in accord with his temperament, rather than because he always acts in accord with his principles.
Funny, this post just made me open “Human, All Too Human” for the first time after several years, and I was struck by many quotes that I now see in a different light thanks in part to the influence of Overcoming Bias and Less Wrong.
Some examples (all emphasis mine):
Just as the bones, flesh, intestines, and blood vessels are enclosed by skin, which makes the sight of a man bearable, so the stirrings and passions of the soul are covered up by vanity: it is the skin of the soul.
Man is very well defended against himself, against his own spying and sieges; usually he is able to make out no more of himself than his outer fortifications. The actual stronghold is inaccessible to him, even invisible, unless friends and enemies turn traitor and lead him there by a secret path.
We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgment to shine.
When a man tries earnestly to liberate his intellect, his passions and desires secretly hope to benefit from it also.
In interaction with people, a benevolent dissembling is often required, as if we did not see through the motives for their behavior.
Sometimes in conversation the sound of our own voice confuses us and misleads us to assertions that do not at all reflect our opinion.
It is much more common for a person to appear to have character because he always acts in accord with his temperament, rather than because he always acts in accord with his principles.